Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 3.
For Thee, For TheePage 1
Earlier text: Rational Health Reform***Southern California
By F. I. Richardson
SAN DIEGO.—At the beginning of 1904 we took up the church work in San Diego, and have remained here during the year, with the exception of about two months spent at San Pasqual and Escondido. Thirty-one have signed the covenant, thirty-seven have been baptized, and twenty-four added to the church. This does not include those who have united by letter from other churches. At the close of the year the San Diego church treasurer’s books showed that three thousand dollars had passed through her hands. This was tithe and offerings for the various branches of the work, and is four hundred and fifty dollars more than was received in any previous year. It was given by about one hundred members. Most of these are women, and nearly all are poor in this world’s goods. This does not include the five hundred and fifty dollars pledged to aid in completing the new sanitarium at Paradise Valley. About half of that has already been paid. A church-school building has been erected, and school is being held in it, but there is quite a debt on that yet. One thousand sets of the special number of The Signs of the Times, Southern Watchman, and Life and Health have been taken, and at this writing all have been disposed of but twenty sets. Quite a proportion of these have been sold, others given away, and the rest are being loaned. Some of the members have employed their spare time in holding Bible readings, with much benefit to themselves as well as to those with whom they read. We have just received five hundred sets of The Family Bible Teacher, with which to begin the new year in continuing the work of warning the world of that most solemn of all events, the soon coming of Christ. Tonga Islands
By E. H. GATES.
On my recent trip among the islands, I spent four weeks in the Tongan group. Though the number of believers is small, a good work has certainly been done for them. The value of the work done in a field can not always be computed by the number who profess to accept the truth, but by the transformation of life revealed in individuals, and by the unity and love existing between members of the church. While all has not been accomplished that could be desired, there is much to cause gladness of heart. Thus far, most of the believers in Tonga are white people. Most of the natives are professed Christians, and in the past very few have had any interest in present truth. Sins of every description are practised without restraint. For a few months past, however, Pastor Butz has been holding native services in the church at Nukualofa, evenings after the Sabbath. I had the privilege of speaking several times on the second advent and the judgment. The church was well filled with students from the government school and others. A native man was baptized some months ago, and has made good spiritual progress. A good interest seems to be springing up among them. During my stay, a sister who came from Norway several months ago, was baptized by Brother Butz. While waiting in Sydney for the steamer to Tonga, she attended a service conducted by Brother Woodford on the domain, but could not understand a word of it. Soon after reaching Tonga, where she was united in marriage to one of the new converts, she accepted the truth with rejoicing. Several young natives from the cannibal islands of New Britain have been attending the meetings, and show a real interest. A young colored man from the West Indies became impressed with his need of salvation, and attended the evening services. One Sabbath he came twelve miles to attend our meeting. A few days later Brother Butz and I visited him at his home. He told us he wanted to be a Christian, but did not know how. When we told him how to receive Christ, he unhesitatingly accepted him. Tobacco had been put away, as the result of a dream given him, before we met him. Other reforms were accepted without question. He gave me an order for The Signs of the Times and a Bible. Our brethren at Nukualofa have erected a mat schoolhouse, and are anxiously waiting for a church-school teacher. Several outside children wish to attend our school. Our brethren are generally faithful in paying tithe and making offerings. Their annual gifts of this kind will probably reach seventy-five or eighty pounds. Love and harmony exist among them, and the prospects for a good work in the group were never brighter. Brother Butz is planning to get out some needed native tracts. He will also hold meetings in adjoining towns and in other islands of the group. Week of Prayer in Rarotonga
By G. F. Jones
I AM glad to be able to send a good report of our week-of-prayer meetings, June 4-11, in Rarotonga. Our brethren here do not seem to have been acquainted with our annual meetings ‘before; however, they were well attended, and strangers came in every evening. We feel sure that the prayers of our brethren18elsewhere were a blessing to us here. Our Maori brethren are in need of your prayers. While often ‘almost defeated in their trials, victory has been given them in the end. They do not possess much silver and gold, and they do not understand the blessings of giving freely; but we introduced the little envelopes to them, and asked them to listen to what the Lord would tell them to do with them. When the Sabbath meeting came, some of the little children led with their gifts, and soon every one, young and old, was eager to put something in the envelopes. There was a fear among them of ‘being left out, so they brought them to the desk. Thus it was fulfilled again, “A little child shall lead them.” How happy they all were as they gave! I had a large pile of envelopes in my hand. They were not heavy with gifts, but they were with principle. God had set a high value on them. The ‘giving’ seed had been sown, and it brought joy among us. The more such meetings we have, the better. Three have recently been baptized here, and we trust the good work will go on. A church-school has recently been started at Titikaveka, where our new church building is, and where most of our brethren live. Not having a schoolhouse ready, we began in one end of the new church, which is not yet dedicated, expecting soon to put up a neat Maori house for the school, and another for the teacher. Accordingly, Sister Gooding moved there, and opened school without delay, in the meanwhile lodging in a hut near by. This quick move and willingness to put up with inconveniences in our work shows a true missionary spirit, and Sister Gooding is meeting with success in her school work. The teacher’s house has just been finished, and is much admired by the natives. It is a Maori hut, put up by themselves, but in accordance with health principles. This in itself is an education to them, as they see what a comfortable, neat home can be made from material growing about them, and that a white missionary is not above living in one. The natives’ ambition is to have a house like the white man’s, with an iron roof, windows, etc. But the heated roof, closed doors and windows, are not conducive to the poor Maori’s health. He is better off in his low hut with ‘raw’ roof and stick walls, and a good breeze blowing through night and day, could he be persuaded to throw aside his pride. Let us not take away their simplicity, but improve upon it. We hope soon to put up a schoolhouse after the same style; after that the church dedication will take place. The school at Arorangi continues. We are all of good courage. Praise the Lord. [Since writing the preceding report Brother and Sister Jones have gone to Singapore to labor.—ED.] APIA.— Lately I have had quite good success in scattering our literature. But the people are very slow to act upon truth. I have ordered twenty-five sets of the Signs Gospel Series, to circulate among the white people, and I hope and pray that some souls may be awakened by those stirring articles as I scatter them among the people. The Lord has been good to us. So in the midst of all our experiences we have much for which to be thankful. TACUBAYA.— Many omens point to them the onward march of the work here. That we have a humble building of our own, free from debt, which serves us for a depository and printing-office, is something for which to be thankful. Our little press and outfit of type dedicated to the putting forth of God's truth, is another blessing. We have five or six persons ready to join the little church here at Mexico City. In a few days we hope to arrange for their baptism. These are all Mexicans except one. About half of this number are clearly the result of Brother Kelley's Bible work. Personal work is the thing necessary to bring this people to a stand for the truth. California
By J. F. BALLENGER; S. T. HARE
LONG BEACH.— After quite a lengthy series of tent-meetings in this place, we organized a church of thirty members. These were mostly composed of those who have moved here from different places; some had been so long severed from their church relations that they had almost lost their identity as members of the body, and some were in a backslidden state. The Christian denomination kindly granted us the use of their baptistery, and where we buried three willing souls with their Lord in baptism. While we have seen but little results in the way of new converts, yet we have seen backsliders reclaimed, wanderers brought back to their Father's house, and all rejoicing that they have a home where they can meet with God's people on the Sabbath day. We held our week-of-prayer services in the tent, with good results. The attendance was good, and the readings were much appreciated by all. Since the organization, which took place November 27, the little company here, who are all in limited circumstances, have pledged and paid in for different branches of the work as follows: First and second tithe, $162.98; Christmas offering, $56.42; for southern field, $21.16; and for church supplies, $10.05, making a total, in a little over one month, of $249.61. This does not include a pledge of the Sabbath-school of forty dollars for the purpose of furnishing a room in the Glendale Sanitarium; neither does it include a sister's gift of a house and lot, worth about five hundred dollars, for the purpose of building a house of worship, nor that of another sister, who has donated a lot on which to erect the building. So we hope at no distant day to have a place of our own where we can invite the citizens of Long Beach and the ever-increasing tourists to hear the last warning message to the world. We now hold our Sabbath meetings in the Long Beach Business College building, corner First and American Avenue. J. F. BALLENGER,
S. T. HARE, Mission Reports from Fiji and Norfolk Island
SISTER PARKER writes from their mission station in Fiji that a man and his wife from the island of Cikobia, twelve miles from them, had come to study for the ministry. This man is a skilled workman in wood, and gave up a good position for the work's sake. With this family came the son of the chief of Cikobia. This young man is blind. He is taking Bible lessons, has a wonderful memory, and seems consecrated to the Lord's service. THE week of prayer was observed in Norfolk Island, and those who attended the meetings were much blessed. Although money is scarce on the island, all gave something to the collection for missions, including those who did not attend the meeting. The total amount given was £2 5s. 2d. Sister Belden expresses much gratitude for this season of blessing to the church, and the desire on the part of all to have some part in the annual offering. She says, “There may be some souls found in the kingdom of God as the result of this little offering from Norfolk Island.” Why the Sunday-Law Agitation Is Permitted to Come to the Front
By W. A. COLCORD
We fear that many of our people do not fully appreciate the significance of the present movement to secure State and national Sunday laws, nor understand the providence of God in permitting this matter to be pressed to the front. The following word, which came to us eleven years ago, is especially applicable at the present time:— “An effort is now on foot to enforce the observance of Sunday, and while the Sunday question is coming to the front, an opportunity is given to present to the world the true Sabbath in contrast with the false. The Lord is far ahead of us. He has permitted this Sunday question to be pressed to the front, in order that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment may be presented before legislative assemblies. The leading men of the nation are to have their attention called to the testimony of God’s Word in favor of the true Sabbath. If the testimony does not convert them, it is a witness that will condemn them. The Sabbath question is the great testing question for this time.”—Review and Herald, Feb. 7, 1893. Let all study this very carefully, for it shows not only why God permits the Sunday-law question to be pressed to the front, but what our duty is in regard to the movement. The agitation for Sunday laws is permitted in order that the Bible Sabbath may come to the front, and its claims be presented before the world, especially before the lawmakers and those in high positions in the land. Every movement for a Sunday law, whether municipal, State, or national, presents such an opportunity. Suppose, then, we treat these movements with indifference; what are we doing?—We are passing by opportunities to present the message for this time; for the Sabbath truth is the central feature of that message. This is the great, testing truth for this time. Movements of this kind exist at the present time, not only for national Sunday legislation, but in many of the States, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, California, and others. What are we doing, brethren, to meet these issues? What should we do? and how shall we do it? Circulating petitions is one good means by which to call the people to the questions involved. Rightly carried on, it will not only lead to a knowledge that religious legislation on the part of civil government is wrong in principle, but to an investigation of the Sabbath question, and so to the knowledge that Sunday is not the true Sabbath. Appropriate literature setting forth the principles and the truth involved, should be scattered far and wide. Let every Seventh-day Adventist secure and read a set of the four religious liberty leaflets just issued, entitled, “Principles Too Little Understood,” “Sunday Laws,” “The Logic of Sabbath Legislation,” and “The Civil Sabbath.” After reading these, ask yourself if they would not be good reading-matter to place in the hands of the people just now, especially wherever the petitions are circulated, and where there is an agitation for Sunday legislation or the enforcement of Sunday laws already in existence. Then order a supply. The price of these is thirty-eight cents a hundred for each of the first three, and fifty-five cents a hundred for the fourth. The leaflet “Sunday Bills Now Before Congress” is another good document to circulate just now, and will be so until the bills are passed, or until the adjournment of Congress next March. The price of this is fifty cents a hundred. The “Open Letter” to the Washington ministers, which has just been issued in tract form by the Review and Herald Publishing Association, should be scattered everywhere. It has made a stir in Washington, and will be read with interest by the people all over the land. Many of our people who have read it think it the best thing we have ever published on the Sabbath question, particularly so because of the special circumstances connected with it. Just now is the time to give this a wide circulation. Millions of it ought to be scattered within the next few weeks. This can be had for forty cents a hundred, or $3.75 a thousand. Many of our brethren would do well to invest largely in this. We hope that our church officers and our people everywhere will awake to their present opportunities to do good, effective work. Circulate the petitions. This is the work the Baptists and Presbyterians carried on vigorously for many years in an early day in Virginia, which finally resulted not only in securing religious liberty in Virginia, but set the example for the new nation, which soon after arose. Let this good work go on as long as it is permitted. The Constitution of the United States says that “the right of petition shall never be denied.” Get up a tract fund, secure a good supply of tracts, scatter them, and give the people something to read. Make a stir. Millions of people are in favor of Sunday legislation who as yet know nothing whatever of the principles or real issue involved. God has given the light to us. Let us give it to the people. Thus we may hasten the work, and, with the fruit of our labors, soon see the King in his beauty, and share in the life eternal. Does It Pay to Canvass?
By F. E. Fairchild
ALTHOUGH this question is asked audibly by but very few, yet from the lack of canvassers, it is evident that19many ask and answer it in the negative, with very little thought as to the value of the salvation of precious souls for whom Christ died. I am sure that many who read these lines will be glad to know that it does pay to canvass when we engage in the work with a heart full of love. It pays because it always pays to obey the Lord, and through the spirit of prophecy he has told us that there should be one hundred canvassers where there is now one. It pays because what we need most of all now is a closer walk with Jesus, and all with whom I have ever talked on this subject say that their canvassing experience is the best, for character building, of all their experiences in life. While it seems that there has been very little done in the Western Oregon Conference the past six months, yet that little has paid remarkably well from the standpoint of the salvation of souls. To my own personal knowledge there have been eleven who have taken their stand for the truth as the result of the work of one canvasser in this conference. Brother Ford Dodds writes us from The Dalles of a family of six who are rejoicing in the truth as a result of his faithful work. These are only a few of the many reasons why the canvassing work has paid in this conference the past six months. Those who are doing this work are of good courage, and are determined to press on. We fully expect that the canvassers' institute to be held in Portland, February 1-15, will be well attended; that thorough work will be done; and that, as a result, a large number of books will be placed in the hands of earnest seekers for truth this year, and eternity alone will reveal what good will come from such work. F. E. Fairchild,
State Agent. “The King’s Business Requires Haste”
By J. S. WASHBURN
My acquaintance with the work in Washington began in June, 1890. Our work in this city had been started but a short time. What do we see to-day?—The principal papers of this city are publishing the Sabbath truth as the leading topic of interest. Seventeen columns of matter have been published in the Washington papers since December 26. The larger part of this has been most favorable. This city is deeply stirred over the Sabbath truth. While the world is moved with the spirit of feverish intensity, shall not we receive from above a baptism of such earnestness in finishing the Lord’s work as we have never known before? A spirit of intense activity has taken possession of the people of the world. We see thousands wholly engaged in the rush for wealth or pleasure. Shall we, with the mighty work and the short time before us, be less diligent in the Master’s service? Are we to be among those whom God can use in finishing the work, and cutting it short in righteousness? “A short work will the Lord make in the earth.” There are to-day many calls for means and service, but “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” By his grace may we not do great things in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons”? Even a small effort put forth by many in the fear of God will accomplish great results. The truth may be placed in thousands of homes, our colleges freed from their heavy burden of debt, the general cause of education greatly enlarged, and a new vital energy imparted to those who take part in this good work. During the gathering of the General Conference Committee in College View last September, some time was given to a study of the work to be done in the future with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” There seemed to be a general belief that God would have us continue the work with energy and courage. Elder Daniells made the following remarks and suggestions:— “I believe that the work that has already been done with ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ has put us in a position where we can now reap the best results from the enterprise. The popularity that has been given to the book, and what has been demonstrated in its sale, indicate that a strong effort now will bring better returns to the institutions to which the book is dedicated than ever before. When we first took hold of the work, it was an experiment; we knew not what could be done. But the fact has now been fully demonstrated by thousands of people that the book can be sold, that people who have never sold books before can sell it, and that the book is appreciated by those who secure it. “Now, brethren, why can not our people in this country dispose of one hundred thousand copies of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ every year? That would be less than an average of two books for each church-member. I believe that we as a people, without any further large outlay of tithe or of labor by our conference workers, could, from the sale of this book, bring to our institutions one hundred thousand dollars a year to pay off their indebtedness and do aggressive work. If we take advantage of the ground already gained, and move forward a little each year, the returns will be a great help to our institutions.” Reports from several of our conference presidents show that there are many books taken by churches and individuals that have not yet been disposed of, and that an earnest effort should be put forth to place these in the hands of the people for whom they are designed. The good reports of what has been accomplished should lead all to be of good courage, and press forward steadily in the work. One fact has been demonstrated by some of the experiences that were related,—that is, that this work has done a vast amount of good in training young people for service. Some whose life of missionary activity began with this book are now conference laborers, and are entering the work in other lands. It was also shown that the churches and individuals that had sold their quota some two or three times over are the ones who are most ready to sell this book yet. While the effort had cost us something,—the time of conference laborers has been devoted to it, and means from the conference treasury has been expended,—yet the belief seemed to prevail that this money and effort have been well expended. The presentation of truth in the book has been a potent factor in removing prejudice from many minds, and opening the way for further investigation of the message for this time. Liberal souls have been brought into the truth, and churches have been organized in various places, as a result of the work with this book. Success is largely dependent, not upon the few who are placed in positions of responsibility, but upon the united, persevering efforts of many earnest, self-sacrificing servants of God. J. S. WASHBURN,
Sec. of Relief of Schools Committee. “Every One Said to His Brother, Be of Good Courage”
By William C. White
“So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the soldering: and he fastened it with nails that it should not be moved.” In response to inquiries with reference to the progress of the work with ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ in various parts of the field, we are receiving many words of encouragement. That others may have the benefit of these cheering words and encouraging experiences, we print with this a few extracts from letters received, showing what has been accomplished by some who have gone forth in humble faith to work for the Master with this good book. From the Western Oregon Conference the good word comes: “Our quota was between ten and eleven thousand dollars’ worth of the books, 8,304 copies. About eight thousand dollars of this amount, or a little over, we have received from the efforts put forth thus far, and it has been applied on the college indebtedness. Our purpose has been just what it is now,—to stay by the work till it is done. We will do all we can during the coming month to enlist the churches and companies in the special effort for the sale of the book.” One brother “was feeling a burden to take up the canvassing work when ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ came to us. Finally he decided to ask the Lord for a test, promising that he would enter the canvassing field if, in one day, he could sell six copies of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ and three smaller books. During his first day’s work, he sold eleven copies of the former and five of the latter, sixteen in all.” This brother is now a State canvassing agent. At a meeting held in College View last September, the president of the West Michigan Conference, in speaking of the campaign with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” said:— “One of the most interesting features of this work to me is this: Last summer, while our ministers were engaged in tent work, constant calls were coming from the churches that had been most active in selling ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ for a minister to come and baptize converts. During the months of July, August, and September I had the privilege of baptizing nearly one hundred persons, the greater portion of whom had been reached through the work of the churches with that book. In one place20a class leader of the Methodist Church had been very active in fighting Adventists; but he was reached through this book, and I had the privilege of baptizing him.” This addition of new church-members as a result of the work with this book is illustrated by the experience of one of our brethren in Wisconsin. This brother, “who was selling from a book wagon, did much of his pioneer work by selling ‘Christ’s Object Lessons.’ In one neighborhood where he thus worked, a Sabbath-school was organized, and Bible readings with the people followed. Later came conversions and baptisms, and at this writing no less than twelve persons have become members of the church to which this brother belonged. He has sold more than four hundred copies of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons.’” There is no limit to the results that may be obtained by continuous, earnest, united effort, put forth in the work of the Lord. A special warning, however, is given us that we become not weary in well-doing. To those who heed this warning, the promise is sure that “in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Shall we not, then, increase our efforts in every good work to which the Lord has called us as individuals and as a people? W. C. WHITE. The One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund
AMOUNT previously reported . . $52,356.54
James Schee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00
South Dakota Conference . . . . . . . 91.13
F. W. Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.00
Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Rockey . . . . . . 48.00
Healdsburg (Cal.) church . . . . . . . 40.23
Artichoke (Minn.) church . . . . . . . 39.00
Santa Cruz (Cal.) church . . . . . . . 27.47
Berkeley (Cal.) church . . . . . . . . 25.00
A sister in Christ . . . . . . . . . . 25.00
E. F. Horning . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.60
“Leipzig, Germany” . . . . . . . . . . 23.50
E. D. and M. J. Post . . . . . . . . . 20.00
J. D. and Rosa Robinson . . . . . . . 20.00
F. H. Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.00
Miss N. Guerin . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.00
Valencia St. church . . . . . . . . . 14.70
A. P. Lager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.00
William Garrahan . . . . . . . . . . . 10.00
Mr. and Mrs. Moses Willson . . . . . . 10.00
Mrs. S. C. Pharris . . . . . . . . . . 10.00
B. F. Bradbury . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.00
A. E. Devereaux . . . . . . . . . . . 10.00
Mrs. I. Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.00
J. H. Ocker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.25
Arroyo Grande (Cal.) church . . . . . 6.00
Mrs. Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.00 Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Abell, Mrs. A. Vuillemier, Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey James Wright (Central Africa), C. S. Drury, Roy W. Day, C. Rasmussen, Mrs. M. J. Hayes, Mrs. Martha Carr, J. M. Johnston, Avis Jeffers, Karl Jeffers, T. A. Zoller, Mrs. W. T. Hamilton, Mrs. Alice Graham, Sarah L. Mead, L. L. Mason, John Swendson, Mr. and Mrs. James Hawkins, Mrs. A. Cummings, Sue M. Andrews.
Mrs. Stanton (England), $4.87; Mrs. Porter (England), $4.87; Amboy (Minn.) church, $4.75; Alameda (Cal.) church, $4.60; Mrs. A. E. Gurney (collector), $4.50; Charleston (Ill.) church, $4.10; Mrs. L. S. Bussard, $3.50; A. E. Connor (Central America), $3; Mr. and Mrs. Derosia, $2.50. Mrs. Wein, Mrs. Emma Christesen, Mrs. A. Hopper. D. B. Heeckert, Matthew Gaines, Mrs. Newman, Melissa Cookendorfer, Adolph Shenk, J. R. Lee, Ammy W. Welsh, L. B. Stull, Lydia A. Legg, Hobart Blanchard, J. T. Nelson, Mary Hopper, Mrs. Emma Ross, H. R. Kitto, Gotlieb Bauerly. Nathaniel Twombly, Hildebran (N. C.) church, Laura Beamer, Woodburn (Ill.) church.
Decatur (Ill.) church, $1.55; P. C. Poley (England), $1.22; J. West (England), $1.22; I. L. Gamble, $1.25; H. L. Gamble, $1.25; B. B. Johnson, $1.15; J. Comins, $1.02; Dorothy Aleatha Loose, $.92; E. W. Stowell, $.90; Hanford (Cal.) church, $.65; G. Hodgson (England), $.61; George Golder (England), $.61; Vera Johnson, $.20; Lawrence Bee, $.10; Felsia Bee, $.10; Mrs. O. F. McDonald, $.10; a friend, $.06. Mrs. Mary Meyer, Mrs. R. Leo, Mrs. T. Alsberge, Lillian Urquhart, Mrs. Martha Wilson, Mrs. Baldwin, Mrs. Schnepf, Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Choffin, Mrs. Varin, Cicero A. Drake, a friend, Mrs. Levy McAvoy, a friend, W. C. Meredith, Jennie Drury, W. H. Warren, Mae Twombly, Lizzie Howard, A. L. Caldwell, Joe Drury, Mrs. A. J. Davis, T. B. Ruggles, Mr. and Mrs. G. Bucy, G. H. McCoon, E. Menzel, Mr. Novak, Susannah Wilson, Mrs. S. E. Jeffers, Mrs. C. M. Lyman, A. J. Gormley, C. F. Piper (Canada), T. H. E. Harrington, Mary R. Hewson, Mrs. E. J. Hewson, Betsy Hewson, George O. Groll, Charles A. Hengever, Mrs. Ambrose, A. F. Tenney, Mrs. Sarah S. Campbell, Mrs. S. A. Speck, C. Jensen, Mrs. Priscilla Jessup, D. and E. Montgomery, Jannettie Page, Mrs. L. M. Wilbourne and mother, Mary Ellis, William Eddington, Sister S. C. Coulter, Sister Morris, Mrs. C. Jacobson, Mrs. Charles Damon, a friend, Mrs. Mary Gould, Jacob Bricker, Mrs. Mary E. Mericle, L. F. Nelson, Mrs. George Pyle, Fred Trampy, Ferdinand Johnson, Abbie A. Ham, J. A. Johnson. Mrs. Lillian Broome, Mrs. E. J. Tarrant, Mrs. W. E. Hubbard, Allen Boynton, Mrs. A. Boynton, Mrs. H. H. Smith, Mrs. A. M. King, Mrs. Stella A. Malloney, Mrs. Irwin, Mrs. M. Tustin, a friend, P. C. Manley, a friend, R. Lindmueller, Mary E. Frame, Mrs. J. W. Greene, Amy Rawlinson, E. J. Bee, Annie Bee, M. A. Johnson, E. Robinson, M. C. Roby. Rose Palmer, Bessie Doty, G. W. Witter, Mrs. M. E. Kirkpatrick, J. R. Martin, R. P. Hightower, E. W. De Forest, A. G. Sears, F. M. Hammond, C. P. Catron, Mrs. Allen Baines, M. G. Feynson, Mrs. J. A. Taylor, E. V. Orrell, Dora Pritchard, Sam Pritchard, Delphia Buck, Mattie Mead. Mrs. M. E. Milton, W. O. Paull, Mrs. J. B. Benker, Mrs. Bennington, Mrs. R. S. Smellie. Mrs. Almira J. Burgert . . . . . . . . $10.00
Mrs. Mary J. Lamont . . . . . . . . . 10.00
Lars Hansen . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.00
C. J. Rider . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.00
F. W. Mace . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00
Total reported . . . . . . . . . . . $53,495.27
A further list will follow.
Send all donations to W. T. Bland, 222 North Capitol St., Washington, D. C. THE enrolment of pupils at the Keene Academy, Texas, is now 109. A NEW church building was dedicated at Chunchula, O. T., December 11. TWENTY teachers are now employed in teaching church-schools in the Texas Conference. A CHURCH-SCHOOL was opened at West Cooper, O. T., November 1, with an attendance of thirty-eight pupils, which has now grown to fifty. A CHURCH-SCHOOL of thirty-six members is progressing in Kansas City, Kan. It is stated that about half the pupils are not of Adventist families. A NEW church building at Knoxville, Tenn., is nearly completed, the first meeting in it having been held on the last day of the week of prayer. BROTHER GEO. L. BUDD says in a report from Senjen, Minn., where he has been laboring for several weeks: “Five have already begun to keep the Sabbath, and others are deeply interested. . . . There are calls coming in from every side for me to come and hold some meetings.” “It is interesting,” observes the Atlantic Union Gleaner, “to note how many more canvassers were in the field the last week in December, 1904, than reported for the corresponding week in 1903.” There must certainly be a revival of the canvassing work before the last warning to earth’s inhabitants can be fully given. The Iowa Workers’ Bulletin records this interesting item: “A little girl in northeastern Iowa, who is only ten years of age, and whose mother is just now receiving readings and coming into the truth, is setting an example of enthusiasm and love for the cause that many of us who have been long in the way would do well to imitate. During the holidays she solicited offerings for missions, and, as a result, received $1.02.” A TRACT of forty acres of land near DeVall Bluff, Ark., has been purchased by the Southwestern Union Conference, on which the first Seventh-day Adventist church building for colored people in that State has been erected. A church-school will be established there, and a larger church building is contemplated. The conference expects soon to purchase two new tents for use in preaching among the colored people, one to be used in Arkansas and one in Texas. Subject Matter
By M. E. KERN
In regard to the matter to be studied in the Bible classes of our academies and colleges, I have this suggestion:— 3. Let the pupils be thoroughly grounded in Old and New Testament history before taking up Bible doctrine as such in regular class work. Let our young people take the Bible as it was given, without any manipulations on the part of the teacher. Without this thorough grounding in the Bible story, our young people can not study Bible doctrine in its proper setting, nor can they even understand many of our sermons. Many of the terms which we use are not comprehended by, or mean very little to, the young people who have not studied the Old and New Testament history story. Such expressions as “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” “the God of David,” “the house of David,” “the prophet of sorrow,” “the cedars of Lebanon,” “the latter rain,” “the synoptic gospels,” “the day of pentecost,” are examples. A recent writer says: “Topical study alone has a tendency to degenerate into a mere human commentary of the Word, hence will not bring the desired results. The studying of selected texts is similar in process to extracting from a bean the germ of life, and planting it. Possibly it might gain an existence from the soil about it, but the probability is that it would die for want of nutriment in the proper form. Surrounded by plant food, it would still be too weak to make use of it. Christians may be indoctrinated, and yet fall, because not versed in the Bible as a whole. Doctrines should be taught in their proper setting. It is true that Christ opened all truth to his followers.” As to the method of instructing the young people in our schools, unless it be those in the junior and senior years of our colleges, let me suggest that,— 4. There should be definite and systematic outlines for the student to follow. In our text-books on other subjects we have definite directions as to how the student is to proceed in order to acquire the knowledge desired. Step by step he is led along according to the laws of his own mind; he learns system, and his power for thinking accurately is increased. If in Bible study we say to the class, “Take the next chapter,” or, “Study the subject of the sanctuary,” and give no explanations or directions as to how the student is to proceed, he becomes discouraged, and thinks the Bible a dull book. Definite directions and definite assignment of the lesson is one of the fundamental laws of pedagogy.